This radical, BMW R110-based dry lake LSR concept bike is called Khan. It’s the work of Mehmet Doruk Erdem. And, if you recognize the name, that’s probably because the Turkish designer has rendered “more than a few” concepts that have gone viral on the internet, to steal a phrase from Jensen Beeeler.

Seeing as how the Khan isn’t even really a concept, in the traditional sense– it’s more of a 3D virtual sculpture, at this point- there’s not much more to add. You can be sure, however, that I’ll be all over this if it ever makes it past the vaporware stage. Until then, it sure is pretty to look at. Enjoy!

“Improving energy efficiency is our first priority and then, for the energy we need to use, we aim for supplies generated from renewable sources,” said Javier Varela, Senior Vice President of Manufacturing and Logistics at Volvo Cars. “The Skövde plant achievement is an important addition to our broader efforts in minimising our environmental footprint. We are pleased to be a leader within the automotive industry in the move towards climate-neutral manufacturing.”

A new agreement between Volvo Cars and the local provider ensures that all heating supplied to the Skövde plant is generated from waste incineration, biomass and recycled bio-fuels. Since 2008, along with the company’s other European plants, its Skövde site’s electricity supply already comes from renewable sources.

“This is a proud moment both for the Skövde plant and for Volvo Cars,” said Stuart Templar, Director for Sustainability. “Environmental care is one of our core values. Along with our plan to electrify all new Volvo cars launched from 2019, carbon neutral manufacturing operations will significantly reduce our overall carbon footprint, supporting global efforts to tackle climate change.”

Volvo Cars is constantly looking at innovative ways to move towards its 2025 vision. For example, in 2016, the production plant in Ghent, Belgium, introduced a district heating system that reduced carbon emissions by 40 per cent, saving 15,000 tonnes of CO2 per year.

“We will continue to work actively with our energy suppliers in all regions to secure further access to renewable energy for our manufacturing plants,” said Javier Varela.

The traditional Big 3 of American automakers each had a radically redesigned truck to show off at this week’s North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit. For Ford, it was the long-awaited resurrection of the Ford Ranger, but over at the GM booth was some potentially bigger news: the Chevy Silverado pick up is all new for MY2019.

Compare Chevy’s 600,000 number to the 1550 Model 3 deliveries Tesla managed to make happen in the same period and you can begin to see that even a slight improvement in Silverado fuel economy has the potential to make a much bigger impact on the environment than the Model 3 (so far, at least).

INTRODUCING THE ALL NEW CHEVY SILVERADO FOR 2019

Most functional bed of any full-size truck, including class-leading cargo volume

Up to 450 pounds lighter from mixed materials use for improved performance

Six engine/transmission choices, including an all-new Duramax 3.0L inline-six diesel

Eight models, each with distinct personalities for different truck customers

DETROIT — Chevrolet introduced the next-generation Silverado today, exactly 100 years after the brand delivered its first trucks to customers in January 1918. The all-new Silverado sets the course for the next century of Chevy Trucks with the most functional bed of any full-size truck, weighs up to 450 pounds less for increased performance and offers a broad range of trims and engine/transmission combinations to help each customer find their ideal truck.

“With the all-new Silverado, we’ve taken the best truck on the road and made it even better,” said Mark Reuss, General Motors executive vice president of Global Product Development, Purchasing and Supply Chain. “It has a longer wheelbase, more passenger and cargo volume, and yet, thanks to our mixed materials strategy and mass reduction expertise, the new truck is 450 pounds lighter than the current model.”

Larger, more functional and more capable bed

“Truck customers value capability and functionality above all else,” said Tim Herrick, executive chief engineer of Full-Size Trucks. “Every truck — including the luxurious High Country — is a work truck with a job to do. As such, we set out to create the best tool for the job at hand, one that makes work more productive and more enjoyable, no matter what they call ‘work.’’’

The bed is the defining trait of every pickup, and bed construction has long been a strength of Chevy Trucks. To improve upon that strength, the 2019 Silverado 1500 bed features:

Best-in-class cargo volume: The 2019 Silverado offers the most cargo volume in every bed length, with the short-box offering 63 cubic feet of volume — up to 20 percent more than a competitor’s short-box. Most of that volume was created by widening the maximum width of the bed floor nearly seven inches. Chevrolet Accessories will offer storage bins that fit over the wheel wells, offering nearly seven cubic feet of lockable cargo space for short-box models, while easily accommodating a 4 x 8 sheet of plywood flat on the cargo floor.

Higher-strength steel floor: As before, the Silverado has a roll-formed, high-strength steel bed floor. For 2019 a higher-grade steel is used, with yield strength increased from 340 to 500 megapascals of pressure for optimal strength and mass.

More and stronger tie-downs: Silverado now has 12 fixed tie-downs, and their strength has doubled to 500 pounds of force before bending. Silverado also has nine moveable tie points for even more cargo flexibility.

More features: Silverado will be available with a class-exclusive power up/down tailgate that can be operated from the key fob, interior button or by hand. Other changes include available task lighting, a 120-volt power outlet and larger cutouts in the class-exclusive CornerStep bumpers to better accommodate steel-toed boots.

With class-leading cargo volume and class-exclusive features, the new Silverado offers the most functional bed of any full-size truck, and more convenient hauling for cargo of virtually any size or shape.

Larger, lighter and more agile

The 2019 Silverado is larger than before, including a wheelbase that is up to 3.9 inches (100 mm) longer and an overall length that is 1.6 inches (41 mm) longer, enabling both more cargo volume and more interior room for all cab lengths. Remarkably, it’s also lighter, weighing 450 pounds (204 kg) less than today’s truck when comparing crew cab V-8 models.

The weight savings comes from extensive use of mixed materials and advanced manufacturing processes throughout the next-gen truck. This allowed Chevrolet to use the right material for the application and optimize every component for mass, durability, safety and functionality to meet our customers’ needs.

For example, the body is 88 pounds (40 kg) lighter than before due to mixed materials use. All exterior swing panels (doors, hood and tailgate) are made of aluminum while fixed panels (fenders, roof and bed) are made of steel. The underlying safety cage uses seven different grades of steel, each tailored for the specific application.

The fully boxed steel frame is also 88 pounds (40 kg) lighter than its predecessor, while offering 10 percent greater torsional rigidity. Eighty percent of the frame is made of high-strength steel varying from 2 to 5 millimeters in thickness, and every millimeter is optimized for performance using a variety of processes, including hydroforming, roll forming, conventional stamping and tailor-rolled blanking. As a result, frame sections, gauges, grades, processes and materials strategically vary to maximize strength, durability and stiffness without adding unnecessary mass.

Mixed materials also play a part in the all-new suspension. The front independent short/long arm suspension features new forged-aluminum upper control arms that are lighter and provide better wheel alignment than the stamped component they replace. The live-axle rear suspension is also redesigned, including new carbon-composite second-stage springs on LT models that save about 12 pounds (5 kg) per side over the steel springs they replace.

The 2019 Silverado will be available with six engine/transmission combinations, giving customers more combinations of performance, efficiency and value to best fit their priorities. This includes new 5.3L and 6.2L V-8s with industry-first Dynamic Fuel Management that actively shuts off any number of cylinders, in a variety of combinations, depending on immediate needs to optimize fuel economy. The result of this industry-first technology is instant power when called for, and impressive efficiency.

The Silverado will also be available with an all-new Duramax 3.0L inline-six turbo-diesel. Chevrolet offers diesel engines in more segments and models than any other brand, including Equinox, Cruze, Colorado, Express, Silverado 1500, Silverado HD and upcoming Silverado medium-duty models.

Both the 3.0L diesel and 6.2L engines are paired with a new Hydra-Matic 10-speed automatic transmission as well as start/stop technology to improve fuel economy for optimum performance and efficiency.

No “one size fits most” trucks

“Truck customers told us they want the perfect truck for them and not a ‘one size fits most’ truck, compromised for the masses,” said Mike Simcoe, vice president, Global Design, General Motors. “That insight shaped our design strategy with eight distinct models, each with a unique personality to fit different customers, from the affordable Work Truck to the luxurious High Country.”

All models introduce a modern, powerful design with a strong dose of Chevy Truck DNA. For example, the “CHEVROLET” name stamped on the tailgate recalls iconic Chevy trucks of the 1950s and ‘60s, while the integrated dual exhausts and up to 33-inch tires reflect modern customer preferences.

The Silverado’s bold, modern design is also surprisingly aerodynamic. Key elements of the front grille are front functional air curtains, similar to those introduced on the sixth-generation Camaro, that reduce aerodynamic drag by routing air around the front wheel wells. The powerful side profile further enhances aerodynamics, including an integrated spoiler at the rear edge of the cab that directs air onto the tailgate lip, reducing wind drag from the bed. Changes like these result in a 7 percent increase in aerodynamic efficiency.

The new Chevy Silverado offers eight trims (see descriptions, next page), designed for three distinct buyer profiles:

“High Value” customers want the capability of a full-size truck at a great value.

“High Volume” customers represent the heart of the truck market, requiring the capability of a full-size truck as well as the creature comforts of a passenger vehicle.

“High Feature” customers represent the fastest-growing part of the truck market and want luxury-car refinement and appointments without sacrificing capability or durability.

The eight trims also reflect another key differentiator for truck buyers: chrome. “Chrome has become more polarizing, and more personal, than any other aspect of truck design,” said Rich Scheer, director, Exterior Design, Chevrolet Trucks. “Some customers want no chrome at all and only body-color or blacked-out trim. Others feel a truck isn’t a truck without a chrome bumper, but feel extra chrome can be too ‘flashy.’ Others want as much chrome as they can get.”

Accordingly, the eight trims are tailored to give customers a wide range of features and levels of chrome, enabling customers to choose the best truck for their personal preferences.

More functional and more connected interiors

The interior design was also strongly influenced by customer feedback. Because truck owners use their vehicles for both hauling cargo and transporting people, customers’ top priorities were more comfortable seating, more interior cargo storage and more functional, easy-to-use controls.

Accordingly, the cab has been stretched, with crew-cab models now offering 3 inches of additional rear-seat legroom for an impressive 44.5 inches of front legroom and 43.8 inches of rear legroom.

New available storage options include two 10-liter bins integrated in the second-row seatbacks for holding small items like gloves or tie-down straps, as well as a large 24-liter storage tray under the second-row seat that can secure everything from gallons of milk to fishing rods and tackle boxes.

Every surface has been designed for function and ergonomics, from the rotary knob textures to the infotainment screen angle. Even the luxurious High Country is subjected to stringent durability tests, including 100,000 seat-slide tests to make sure the supple seats meet the expectations of our toughest owners.

The Silverado was already the first pickup to offer 4G LTE Wi-Fi connectivity, Apple Car Play, Android Auto, wireless phone charging and OnStar safety and security features. For 2019, that leadership will be improved with new safety and convenience features to be announced later this year.

Making the Most Dependable, Longest Lasting full-size trucks even more so

“Truck customers told us they depend on their trucks for much more than just transportation,” said Herrick. “Many use their trucks to earn a paycheck, or to do what they enjoy most when they’re off the clock. Given how important trucks are to our customers, we set a lofty goal for exceeding the dependability and longevity of the current Silverado.”

To do so, the engineering team doubled many of the key validation metrics for the next-gen truck, making it the most-tested vehicle GM has ever produced. That includes accumulating a staggering seven million miles of real-world testing before the first Silverado is delivered to customers.

The 2019 Chevrolet Silverado will be on display at the North American International Auto Show through Jan. 28 in Detroit. Production of the 2019 Silverado will begin at the Fort Wayne, Indiana Assembly plant, ranked the highest-quality plant in North America by J.D. Power and Associates, with customer deliveries beginning this fall.

2019 Silverado 1500 Trim Levels

High Value:

Work Truck features “CHEVROLET” graphic across the grille and tailgate, blacked-out trim and 17-inch steel wheels for maximum durability. The interior features durable vinyl or cloth seats and 7-inch color touch screen.

LT features chrome accents on the bumpers, front grille and mirror caps, Chevrolet bowtie in the grille, LED reflector headlamps and signature daytime running lights. The interior features an 8-inch color touch screen and available leather seating surfaces

RST (new for 2019) brings a street-performance appearance to the LT, with body-color trim, full LED lighting (foglamps, headlamps and taillamps) and up to 22-inch wheels with all-season tires.

LTZ features chrome accents on the bumpers, front grille, mirror caps, door handles and hockey-stick belt line as well as power folding and heated outside rearview mirrors. Leather interior trim is standard equipment.

High Country features an exclusive front grille design with two-tone chrome and bronze finish, body-color accents plus chrome assist steps from wheel to wheel. It also includes the power up/down tailgate as standard equipment.

The best way to teach someone to appreciate the world is to get them out into it. That sunrise on Yosemite’s Half Dome certainly did me in, anyway- as did any number of nights in Florida’s Everglades and Costa Rica’s cloud forest. For the uninitiated- and, frankly, anyone else who can afford it- there is no better way to experience nature than from the comfy confines of a luxury RV. A luxury RV like the new Airstream Globetrotter, for example, that the company launched a few weeks ago featuring Bluetooth connectivity throughout, integrated USB charging, and wireless internet technology.

Don’t dismiss the Globetrotter as a den of opulence, however. It packs a lot of serious tech aimed at getting you off the grid, including optional solar panels and high-capacity storage batteries. Both provide usable electricity which, in the past, would have been provided by a noisy gas generator.

All that emphasis on electricity and connectivity may seem like the opposite of “getting out into nature”, but Airstream‘s CEO, Bob Wheeler, sees it differently. In an interview with Gear Patrol, Wheeler points out that, “even when people want to get away, often they still want — or need — to stay connected. Being connected enables many people to get out more, and stay out longer. If they know their devices are charged and they can access their email, they might be able to stay (out) one more night, and not have to play catch-up when they get home.”

In other words, it’s a bait-and-switch. If you take the neophytes’ excuses for not wanting to go see the world away, and they might just go and see the world.

Here’s hoping they do, anyway. You can check out the full, high-resolution photo gallery from the Globetrotter’s launch, below, along with the company’s official press release. Then, let us know what you think of the fancy new RV- and whether it’s worth buying one, instead of building one– in the comments section at the bottom of the page.

Airstream Globetrotter | Euro-Styled, Design-Forward Travel Trailer

Airstream, manufacturer of the iconic riveted aluminum travel trailer, today announced the brand’s newest design-forward production model – the Airstream Globetrotter, which will be launched during Adobe MAX, The Creativity Conference, October 18.

The Airstream Globetrotter is the product of an international collaboration with Astheimer Limited, a renowned UK-based design studio. The interior of this new offering presents a modern, refined look that celebrates minimalism with supple curves and symmetry.

“Nearly 70 years ago, our founder Wally Byam and his lifelong friend, Cornelius Vanderbilt, painted the word ‘Globe Trotters’ on the side of their Airstream and set out on a European adventure,” said Bob Wheeler, President and CEO of Airstream. “We created the Globetrotter to capture the spirit of Wally’s wanderlust, Neil’s fondness for Europe, and their mutual love of modern design. The end result is a travel trailer that blends the classic Airstream look with a style that truly sets it apart.”

The Globetrotter’s interior features a layer of contemporary sophistication with premium finishes and fixtures, including aluminum walls, panoramic windows, a curved headboard and cabinets, wrap-around upholstery, recessed speakers and backlighting throughout. The Globetrotter will be available in four interior décor choices based on the dark walnut and natural elm themes.

GM revealed a fully autonomous version of its electric Chevy Bolt at CES last week, and it was- I mean, can you call an advanced concept car lazy? Take a look at that official, GM-produced photo of the Bolt AV, above. Do you see the problem, yet?

That’s right. The people behind the car that is meant to show off GM’s future and place Chevrolet up on a pedestal among other autonomous heavy-hitters like Tesla, Google, and Volvo, didn’t even bother to make their interior symmetrical- and I’m not the only one who noticed, either. You can clearly see the bias towards the traditional “driver’s seat” location by placing the screen off to the right. Which- maybe makes sense? But, since there is no human driver- and no human driving even possible, without controls- doesn’t that seem a little odd?

Maybe it’s not, and GM rightly assumes that the majority of trips will be of the single-passenger variety in the future, too. That’s probably right- isn’t it?

Check out Steve Hanley’s well-thought out piece, originally published by our sister site, EV Obsession, below. Then, let us know what you think of the autonomous Bolt AV (for “autonomous vehicle”, natch) in the comments section at the bottom of the page.

Autonomous Chevy Bolt Shown at CES | Video

Are you sitting down? General Motors said this past week it plans to begin producing a fully autonomous car with no steering wheel and no pedals — not in some far off time, but next year. It says Chevy Bolts fitted with 4th generation autonomous technology will start rolling off the assembly line in 2019. The announcement makes for a nice segue between the end of CES 2018 and the start of the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

GM’s crosstown rival, Ford, says it will be offering driverless cars, but not until 2021. Google is planning to begin a driverless ride-hailing service in Phoenix, Arizona, soon using modified Chrysler Pacifica minivans, but those cars will still be fitted with traditional pedals and a steering wheel. The autonomous Chevy Bolts are intended for use in ride-hailing duty in several US cities, and will not be made for sale to individuals. At least, not yet.

GM Announces Autonomous Chevy Bolt AV at Detroit

GM President Dan Ammann told The Verge. “It’s a pretty exciting moment in the history of the path to wide scale deployment and having the first production car with no driver controls. We believe this technology will change the world, and we’re doing everything we can to get it out there at scale as fast as we can.” If GM can stick to its self-imposed timeline, the self-driving Bolt will be the first mass-produced fully autonomous car in the world. It will be assembled at the Orion Township factory alongside its conventional cousins.

GM has petitioned the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for a number of waivers from existing vehicle safety regulations. For instance, the autonomous Bolts will have no steering-wheel-mounted airbag because they have no steering wheel. D’uh. “A car without a steering wheel can’t have a steering wheel airbag,” Ammann said. “What we can do is put the equivalent of the passenger side airbag on that side as well. So it’s to meet the standards but meet them in a way that’s different than what’s exactly prescribed, and that’s what the petition seeks to get approval for.”

GM is currently testing its autonomous cars in Phoenix and in San Francisco. The company says the City by the Bay presents many more challenges for self-driving vehicles. “While we also test vehicles in Phoenix, our San Francisco vehicles predict an average of 32 times as many possible interactions as those in Phoenix. Thus, San Francisco challenges our self-driving system more because, as the number of objects increase, there are exponentially more possible interactions with objects that the self- driving system must consider. For example, GM’s self-driving Chevy Bolt AVs (would) encounter 270 emergency vehicles for every 1,000 miles driven in San Francisco, compared to just six in Phoenix.”

Each autonomous Chevy Bolt has not one but two data recorders to store data pertinent to every driving situation. Together, they keep a digital record of all input data from the car’s sensors, information about acceleration, braking and steering actions, and any malfunctions that may occur. Both are designed to survive in the event of a catastrophic accident.

GM is anxious to establish a lead in the autonomous car field. It has acquired Cruise Automation, a San Francisco based self-driving startup, as well as Strobe, another startup that specializes in Lidar technology. Adding both to its portfolio is part of the General’s plan to become a “full stack” autonomous car company.” It also plans to introduce up to 20 new EVs by 2023.

As Tesla muddles through “production hell” with its Model 3, some are suggesting the legacy automakers may not be as threatened by Tesla as once thought. Designing cutting-edge electric cars with advanced autonomous features may be where Tesla shines, but building millions of high-quality units is something the car companies have been doing very well for generations.

One area where Tesla still has a wide lead is integrating the sensors that are needed to make autonomous cars a reality in a way that does not detract from the appearance of the cars. Compared to the crude Lost In Space type arrays that sprout from the autonomous cars being tested by Waymo, Uber, General Motors, and others, Tesla’s sensor suite is virtually invisible to the untrained eye. It’s a good thing those cars from other companies are intended for commercial service because it is unlikely any self-respecting car owner would want one of those antlered beasts parked in the driveway.

Honda recently introduced an electric version of its PCX scooter. But this isn’t your usual, plug-in EV. The new Honda PCX Electric scooter features batteries that are designed to be easily removed when they’re spent and swapped out for fresh ones, so you can get back on the road and keep on riding.

Honda PCX Electric Scooter | Gallery

Companies like Renault and Tesla have toyed with the idea of hot-swappable batteries in their vehicles, with something that looked like initial success in Israel. Larger batteries with greater capacity and faster charging networks have largely made that need go away for car buyers, but urban apartment and condo-dwellers still struggle with access to charging ports- super or otherwise. That’s why an electric vehicle like this, with batteries that can be charged at home or at work, could be such a big deal.

Honda is set to launch vehicles like this, powered by a number of these “universal” swappable batteries, as part of a pilot program in Saitama, Japan. In addition to the PCX electric scooter, they’ll also launch a small delivery vehicle and a side-by-side utility vehicle as a sort of GEM-NEV competitor. Both electrified, sure, but combining other forward-looking technologies like automation and airless ATV tires. These, too, are based on production Honda models.

There’s no way to know, at this point, if the pilot program will be successful. Still, if it is, it’s easy to imagine technology like this doing for light EVs what it did for portable power tools. But I’m a bit of an optimist when it comes to Honda. What about you guys?

Do you think this is all just a bunch of CES hype that has Honda slapping a bunch of buzzword tech at existing products to make some cynical PR waves, or is Honda putting some real energy into this? Check out the other vehicles that will be part of the proposed Saitama project, below, then let us know what you think in the comments section at the bottom of the page.

Honda Swappable Battery Tech

After years of watching the world-market Ranger do kicka** tricks like towing trains and playing in the mud and generally being awesome, we are thrilled to announce that Ford has launched an all-new, US market Ford Ranger at the 2018 North American International Auto Show!

There’s not a whole lot more for me to add that doesn’t sound like crazy fangirl squeals, at this point. Suffice it to say, however, that I will be following Range-based developments very closely in the coming months. Bronco ones, too, while we’re at it- and, maybe, Ford will recapture some of the magic it used to have when guys like Bob Glidden were flying the blue oval flag way back when. Here’s hoping.

So, until one of us here at Important Media gets a chance to drive the thing or it gets caught cheating on its emissions tests or something, check out Ford’s official press release. I’ve also included 30 high-resolution photos and a PR video of the all-new Ford Ranger, below. Enjoy!

AN AMERICAN FAVORITE REINVENTED: NEW FORD RANGER BRINGS BUILT FORD TOUGH INNOVATION TO U.S. MIDSIZE TRUCK SEGMENT

Ready for adventure with innovative technology: New features make driving easier and more fun, both on- and off-road; available FX4 Off-Road Package adds protective skid plates, upgraded tires, off-road-tuned shocks and suspension, while Terrain Management System™ and Trail Control™ help navigate challenging conditions; a suite of innovative technologies includes standard Automatic Emergency Braking to help avoid collisions

Strong new choice for midsize truck fans: Ranger brings American truck lovers an all-new choice; production begins late this year at Ford’s Michigan Assembly Plant as the U.S. industry sees continued growth in midsize pickups

Production begins late this year at Ford’s Michigan Assembly Plant as customer demand is growing for midsize trucks. U.S. sales are up 83 percent since 2014 as a new generation of midsize truck buyers seek more maneuverable, fuel-efficient pickups.

The 2019 Ford Ranger answers the call with an all-new midsize pickup featuring a new exterior design, chassis and power train developed specifically for North American truck customers. Powerful and strong, with a high-strength steel frame, Ranger is equipped with a proven 2.3-liter EcoBoost® engine mated to the only 10-speed automatic transmission in the segment.

“Ranger has always held a special place in the hearts of truck fans,” said Hau Thai-Tang, Ford executive vice president, Product Development and Purchasing. “The all-new Ranger is designed for today’s midsize truck buyer, delivering even more utility, capability and technology for those who blend city living with more off-the-grid adventures on weekends.”

Ranger comes in entry-level XL, mid-level XLT and high-level Lariat trim series with available Chrome and Sport appearance and FX Off-Road packages, and in SuperCab or SuperCrew cab configurations.

Built Ford Tough

Built Ford Tough is engineered in Ranger’s DNA – from its high-strength steel frame backbone to its frame-mounted steel front and rear bumpers. Ford engineers put Ranger through the same torture testing as the legendary F-150 goes through.

Even its design is tough. Ranger’s muscular body features a high beltline that emphasizes strength, while a raked grille and windshield provide an athletic appearance – designed to aid in aerodynamics and reduce wind noise. Short overhangs are functional off-road for clearing obstacles.

From the rear, the Ranger nameplate stamped in the tailgate conveys strength, and the tailgate itself is designed to handle people and cargo. A rugged steel bumper with an available integrated trailer hitch receiver helps make towing campers, ATVs or watercraft a breeze.

Inside, Ranger blends comfort and functionality with room for up to five people, their gear and accessories. A center stack includes an 8-inch touch screen for the available SYNC® 3 system, while the instrument cluster features dual LCD productivity screens for real-time vehicle, navigation and audio information.

Ranger’s twin-power dome hood houses its 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine designed for efficiency and capability thanks to direct fuel injection, a twin-scroll turbocharger and 16-valve design. For added durability, the engine features a forged-steel crankshaft and connecting rods, and chain-driven dual overhead cams.

“Ranger’s proven 2.3-liter EcoBoost provides a torque target on par with competing V6 engines, but with the efficiency of a four-cylinder,” said Thai-Tang. “When you pair that with its 10-speed transmission, you’ve got one of the most versatile, powerful and efficient power trains in the segment.”

Adventure-ready

Ranger is designed for a new generation of midsize truck customers who head off-road to recharge.

To give customers a great all-terrain driving experience, Ranger’s FX4 Off-Road Package features an innovative Terrain Management System™ similar to the F-150 Raptor’s. It includes four distinct drive modes – normal; grass, gravel and snow; mud and ruts; and sand. The system can shift on the fly to automatically change throttle responsiveness, transmission gearing and vehicle controls to tailor traction, drivability and performance to any given terrain or weather condition.

The FX4 Off-Road Package introduces Ford’s all-new Trail Control™ technology. Like cruise control for the highway but designed for low-speed, rugged terrain, Trail Control takes over acceleration and braking – sending power and braking to each individual wheel to allow drivers to focus on steering along the course.

Power is distributed through Dana® AdvanTEK® independent front and solid rear axles on both 2WD and 4WD models with an available electronic-locking rear axle (standard on FX2 and FX4) for increased all-terrain traction. Ranger four-wheel-drive versions feature 2-high, 4-high and 4-low.

Available SYNC® 3 features Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, Ford+Alexa personal assistant functionality and optional navigation. An available FordPass™ Connect 4G LTE modem provides Wi-Fi access for up to 10 devices. Available AC power outlets allow for charging of laptops and USB outlets provide more options for passengers to connect. Available B&O PLAY premium audio is specially tuned for the Ranger cab to deliver a rich and engaging listening experience.

Additional features include optional LED headlamps and tail lamps. Optional exterior lighting includes puddle lamps and lighting for the cargo bed, while Ford’s available Smart Trailer Tow connector alerts drivers to faulty trailer connections.

Back in the 1970s and early 80s, NASA conducted a series of tests to determine how aerodynamic changes could impact a truck’s fuel economy. Tests like this were, in part, part of the government’s response to that decade’s oil crises. The results of the tests, too, were hugely interesting.

For starters, the agency found that, buy rounding the corners on that era’s popular cabover truck designs they could reduce the trucks’ drag by up to 40 percent. Those changes only decreased trucks’ internal volume by 1.3 percent, making the case for more aerodynamic truck and container bodies self-evident. As a result, the cool-looking, Optimus Prime-y cabovers waned in popularity among large fleet buyers, and more aerodynamic bodies became the norm.

Indeed, you can see those “anteater” nosed trucks just about everywhere today- especially in press releases involving Tesla’s new electric semi tractor and aerodynamic container add-ons. But before all of that, there were these NASA built and conceived prototypes. I’ve included a few high-resolution photos (click to enlarge), below, as well as the copy from NASA’s page on the matter at the time of this writing. Check them out, then let us know what you think in the comments section.

NASA Aerodynamic Truck Studies

Truck aerodynamics 3

Copy of ground study truck
2/22/74
NASA DFRC
E74-26992 (copy neg)

Copy of ground study truck
2/22/74
NASA DFRC
E74-26992 (copy neg)

Test van for airflow visualization
2/18/81
NASA DFRC
E81-38091

During a decade spanning the 1970s and 1980s, NASA Dryden Flight Research Center, now NASA Armstrong, researchers conducted tests to determine the extent to which adjustments in the shape of trucks reduced aerodynamic drag and improved efficiency. The techniques honed in the investigation of truck aerodynamics proved highly applicable.

Felt tufts, or strings, were fitted to the vehicle’s sides to show airflow. The investigators concluded that rounding the vertical corners, front and rear, reduced drag by 40 percent, yet decreased the vehicle’s internal volume by only 1.3 percent. Rounding both the vertical and horizontal corners cut drag by 54 percent, while losing only three percent of internal volume.

The first phase involved a cab-over tractor-trailer, modified by rounding all of its front corners and edges. In addition, technicians attached sheet metal fairings over the cab’s roof and sides as far back as the trailer. This covering closed the open space between the cab and trailer. During the phase one research, researchers found that in highway driving at 55 miles per hour, rounding the corners and fairing the space to close the gap between the truck’s cab and trailer resulted in a significant reduction in aerodynamic drag and in 20 to 25 percent lower fuel consumption than the standard vehicle. The improvements soon spurred design changes in production trucks.

The second phase conducted on the modified passenger van entailed such modifications as rounding the vertical and horizontal corners, as well as adding a “boat tail” structure to the rear of the vehicle and a faired underbody. The modified van, with rounded vertical corners front and back, experienced 40 percent less drag than the standard configuration. With the rounding of horizontal corners as well, drag reduction rose to 54 percent. Further testing included the addition of a faired underbody and a boat tail, the latter feature resulting in an additional drag reduction of about 15 percent.

Based on the research conducted at NASA Dryden, many truck manufacturers subsequently incorporated similar improvements and design modifications in their production trucks.

Granted, I am a bit of a Volvo fanboy. Still, that shouldn’t take away from the achievement. It’s a historic achievement for Volvo, too. With the release of the new XC60 last summer, Volvo Cars became the first manufacturer to hold all top three car rankings in Euro NCAP’s Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) tests – AEB City, AEB Inter-Urban and AEB Pedestrian. Which, considering the company’s reputation and goals for 2020, shouldn’t be surprising. “Our vision is that by 2020 no one should be killed or seriously injured in a new Volvo car,” said Malin Ekholm, Vice President, Volvo Cars Safety Centre. “The achievements of the XC60 are examples of our commitment to developing the latest safety and support systems as we strive towards that vision.”

Volvo XC60 is 2017’s Overall Safest Car in Euro NCAP

Volvo Cars’ XC60 has been crowned the best performing large off-roader, and the car with the best overall performance of 2017 in the prestigious Euro NCAP 2017 Best in Class safety awards.

The XC60 scored a near-perfect 98 per cent in the Adult Occupant category and in its Large Off-Road class, showed a clear advantage in Safety Assist with a score of 95 per cent – 20 percentage points higher than the nearest Large Off-Road competitor – underlining Volvo Cars’ position as a leader in automotive safety.

“The new XC60 is one of the safest Volvo cars ever made,” said Malin Ekholm, Vice President, Volvo Cars Safety Centre. “It is fully loaded with new technology designed to assist drivers, to help protect vehicle occupants and other road users, such as pedestrians and cyclists, plus mitigate collision risks. We are proud that our ongoing commitment to innovating new safety features has been recognised with another Euro NCAP Best in Class award for Volvo Cars.”

The Euro NCAP award for the XC60 follows in the tracks of Volvo Cars’ XC90, which in 2015 was also named the best performing large off-roader, and the car with the best overall performance that year. Volvo Cars’ V40 is another previous Euro NCAP winner, in the Small Family class.

“Our vision is that by 2020 no one should be killed or seriously injured in a new Volvo car,” said Malin Ekholm. “The achievements of the XC60 are examples of our commitment to developing the latest safety and support systems as we strive towards that vision.”

The XC60 also joins the S90 and V90 in making history for Volvo Cars as the first manufacturer to hold all top three car rankings in Euro NCAP’s Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) tests – AEB City, AEB Inter-Urban and AEB Pedestrian. The three Volvo cars are the only cars to have achieved perfect scores in all three AEB categories.

The S90 and V90 also scored highly at the Euro NCAP 2017 Best in Class awards, achieving 95 per cent in the Adult Occupant category and 93 per cent in the Safety Assist category.

The Euro NCAP award follows the XC60 being named Japan’s 2017-18 Car of the Year. The XC60 also won the UK’s 2017 Car Tech Awards for Best Safest Car, Best Safety Technology and Best Sat-Nav; and was crowned Luxury SUV of the Year in the UK’s Professional Driver 2017 Car of the Year awards. The XC60 has also been named as one of three finalists for the 2018 North American Utility of the Year award, the winner of which will be announced on 15 January 2018.

Euro NCAP awards

Each year, Euro NCAP publishes a ‘Best in Class’ to indicate which vehicles have performed better than their competitors launched in the same calendar year, using a weighted sum of scores for accurate comparison in each class, across four areas of assessment: adult occupant, child occupant, pedestrian and safety assist.

Volvo XC60 – Safest Car in Euro NCAP Test

Are you the type of person who watches the Super Bowl “just” for the commercials? If so, you’re going to love a new advertising startup called Telenav, because they are going to start beaming ads right into all the fancy screens that are crowding the interior of your connected car.

Yes, really.

Telenav Wants Your Autonomous Car to Play Ads

One of the most basic tenets of any “green” philosophy is that you don’t want to buy something that’s disposable. It’s reduce, re-use, and recycle, after all. With cars and homes, especially- commodities that require a massive amount of energy to build- you want to buy something that lasts and keep it on the road for as long as you can. That’s what makes the following list, compiled by researchers at iSeeCars, so interesting: the 15 cars people keep driving for 15 years.

That’s right. 15 years. “While a decade on the road used to be a significant milestone for vehicle life expectancy, the elevated quality of cars being produced has raised this standard to beyond ten years ,” said Phong Ly, CEO of iSeeCars. “Japanese automakers are known for setting quality and reliability standards, so it is no surprise that they are the most likely to reach the fifteen-year milestone.”

If you’re like me, you’re probably fascinated by weird, offbeat vehicles like the Twike (above). If you’re not familiar with it, the Twike is a lightweight, electric, pedal-assisted velomobile. That means you pedal it, like a bike, but there’s an electric motor in there to help you out- but it’s not cheap. Unless you’re in Sweden, that is, because Sweden’s version of the EPA just announced a tax rebate equal to 25% of the purchase price of an electric bicycle, tricycle, or velomo.

Yeah, that’s awesome.

Our good friend and longtime Gas 2 contributor/editor, Steve Hanley, recently covered Sweden’s new program over at our sister site, Cleantechnica. I’ve included his take- which was suspiciously Twike-free- below. Check it out, then let us know if you’d like to see the US introduce a similar plan to promote light EVs like the Twike, Renault Twizy, or the new Ford OjO in the comments section at the bottom of the page. Enjoy!

25% Off Electric Bicycles and Light EVs

Elon Musk likes to start at the top and work down. In Sweden, when it comes to EV incentives, the government is starting at the bottom and working its way up. According to Norwegian news source Elbil, it is now offering a rebate equal to 25% of the purchase price of an electric bicycle, tricycle, or quadricycle. The Swedish rebate program will not apply to self-balancing devices like Segways or hoverboards, but the article in Elbil suggests the Renault Twizy may be eligible. In some cases, an electric wheelchair or hand-operated bicycle may qualify for the incentive. The total amount of money available is limited to 350 million krona annually — about $12 million.

Any Swedish citizen who purchased a qualifying vehicle after September 20, 2017, is eligible. Payments are managed by the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency and will begin after February 1 of next year. Unlike some countries where greed is a national pastime, Swedish authorities will monitor the market to make certain manufacturers don’t automatically mark up the price of their products to include the amount of the rebate. “Job-killing regulation” and “nanny-state socialism” at work, folks.

Sales of electric bicycles and similar vehicles are exploding in Scandinavia. Last year, about 67,000 electric bicycles were sold in Sweden and another 36,000 were sold in Norway. “Research shows that electric bikes replace cars,” says Karolina Skog, Sweden’s Minister of Environment. “Now there is a good selection of bicycles in place and the market has begun to evolve.”

She believes there will be more investment in infrastructure when more people begin using electric bicycles. Norway has already committed $1 billion to building new bike paths so people can commute to and from work safely and conveniently. A recent survey of Norwegian bicycle riders conducted by the Electric Vehicle Association finds that price is the main sticking point for people considering the purchase of an electric bicycle. Also important is more secure parking for bicycles in cities, where stolen bikes are a major problem.

The proposed joint venture factory to be built by Toyota and Mazda has found a new home: Alabama. The southern state will be the site of the new $1.6 billion factory, and will eventually will employ up to 4,000 people and produce about 300,000 vehicles a year.

The deal is being couched as a victory for President Donald Trump and his threatened, protectionist tariffs on foreign production, sources told Reuters on Tuesday. Trump tweeted in March, 2017, that, “Toyota Motor said will build a new plant in Baja, Mexico, to build Corolla cars for U.S. NO WAY! Build plant in U.S. or pay big border tax!”

So- yeah. It looks like he got his way. And, honestly, it’s a good thing, too. The south needs jobs, and this factory will not only employ the 4,000 people who work there, but the people who make their uniforms, pick up their trash, feed them, and all down the line. It’s also good news for enthusiasts, because Mazda continues to make some the best-driving cars in the business, and Toyota could use some Vroom-vroom in its DNA these days. Or any day, really- and the Mazda-built Toyota/Scion Yaris iA is living, driving proof that the partnership seems to be good for all involved.

That’s just my opinion, though. What’s yours? Is any apparent Trump victory worth getting angry about because it will be “good for him”, or is beleaguered southern states like South Carolina and Alabama getting a bit of well-deserved good news a cause to celebrate? Let us know. Comments.

California’s Air Resource Board, or, “CARB”, has been driving automotive policy for decades. CARB has also been a driving force in the mainstream adoption of hybrid and electric vehicles, too, by forcing manufacturers to offer EVs in order to sell more profitable trucks and SUVs in the prosperous state. That kind of regulation over what a company can and can’t sell doesn’t sit well with our current administration, however, and they’re pushing for laws that will maintain one single set of national requirements for all automakers.

If the Trump administration is successful in implementing that single, federal-level law over the states, it will not only go against one of the most closely-held tenets of the Republican party (states’ rights v. federal rights), it will also determine the fate of vehicle emissions rules for the foreseeable future. And, like, not in an awesome way.

A December 15th meeting held in California included William Wehrum, head of the Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Air and Radiation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration deputy chief Heidi King, and Mike Catanzaro, a senior White House aide on environment and energy issues, a spokesman for CARB confirmed on Monday. The group wants California to change its rules to address (currently) lower gas prices and what they are calling “a shift in US consumer preferences” to larger, less fuel-efficient vehicles. Larger, less fuel-efficient, lower-tech vehicles that, it should be noted, are the most profitable segment for US automakers.

Here’s hoping the people California kick Trump in the dick hold their ground and keep driving electric vehicle innovation for years to come, regardless of what kind of cash grab the EPA and some major US automakers are hoping for.

What about you guys? Are you hoping California’s CARB is successful in holding back the Trump EPA? Do you want to get banned from posting comments on Gas 2? Put on your flame suits and head to the bottom of the page- let’s see what happens!

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The content produced by this site is for entertainment purposes only. Opinions and comments published on this site may not be sanctioned by, and do not necessarily represent the views of Sustainable Enterprises Media, Inc., its owners, sponsors, affiliates, or subsidiaries.

The content produced by this site is for entertainment purposes only. Opinions and comments published on this site may not be sanctioned by, and do not necessarily represent the views of Sustainable Enterprises Media, Inc., its owners, sponsors, affiliates, or subsidiaries.